Military Court Sentences Two to Death Over Staged Suicide Bombings

The General Court Martial sitting in Makindye has handed down death sentences to two state informers convicted of murder. Hamza Lyavala and Hamid Walusansa received the capital punishment for their direct roles in orchestrating staged suicide bombing missions that claimed two lives.

The deadly operations were planned ahead of the annual Uganda Martyrs Day celebrations held on June 3, 2025. According to the prosecution, the convicts delivered explosives to two victims who were unwittingly or unwillingly used in the fake suicide missions across Munyonyo and Kalerwe Market.

During the proceedings, Lyavala and Walusansa entered guilty pleas, acknowledging their active participation in the twin plots. Prosecutors highlighted that after the first explosion, the duo willingly proceeded to coordinate the second fatal attack at Kalerwe Market.

Delivering the ruling, the court chairman, Brig. Richard Tukacungurwa, classified the offences among the “rarest of the rare” cases that warrant the ultimate penalty to serve as a strong deterrent to others.

“The two convicts intentionally delivered the bombs to the two victims. They directly participated in the fake suicide missions and, after the first one, willingly accepted to participate in the second one at Kalerwe Market. The death sentence is therefore justified,” Brig. Tukacungurwa stated before issuing the ruling.

Despite handing down the death penalty, the court martial chairman reminded the convicts of their constitutional right to appeal the sentence through the proper legal channels.

For more details on this ruling, read the full report on Nile Post.